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Flagger vs crossing guard

The differences between flaggers and crossing guards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a crossing guard has an average salary of $32,761, which is higher than the $29,484 average annual salary of a flagger.

The top three skills for a flagger include work ethic, safety rules and construction sites. The most important skills for a crossing guard are patrol, kids, and emergency situations.

Flagger vs crossing guard overview

FlaggerCrossing Guard
Yearly salary$29,484$32,761
Hourly rate$14.18$15.75
Growth rate1%3%
Number of jobs6,59716,018
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age5353
Years of experience--

What does a flagger do?

A flagger is an employee who is hired by government agencies or construction companies to control the flow of traffic around road construction sites. To control the flow of traffic, flaggers must erect warning signs and position traffic cones and barricades to guide drivers through the traffic flow. They are responsible for informing the construction crew of any issues that may affect their safety. Flaggers are also required to record the license plate numbers of motorists who did not obey traffic signs and directions.

What does a crossing guard do?

A crossing guard directs and escorts pedestrians when crossing the street, enforcing traffic laws when necessary. They have the authority to control both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and they will sometimes be responsible for directing traffic to avoid hazards. In some areas, a crossing guard may also control railroad warning signals, lower and raise railroad gates, and coordinate with law enforcement officers when violations occur.

Flagger vs crossing guard salary

Flaggers and crossing guards have different pay scales, as shown below.

FlaggerCrossing Guard
Average salary$29,484$32,761
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $38,000Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityBuffalo, NYCottage Grove, MN
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaWashington
Best paying companyWalsh ElectricDublin City Schools
Best paying industryConstructionGovernment

Differences between flagger and crossing guard education

There are a few differences between a flagger and a crossing guard in terms of educational background:

FlaggerCrossing Guard
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Flagger vs crossing guard demographics

Here are the differences between flaggers' and crossing guards' demographics:

FlaggerCrossing Guard
Average age5353
Gender ratioMale, 64.0% Female, 36.0%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between flagger and crossing guard duties and responsibilities

Flagger example responsibilities.

  • Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assign patrol areas
  • Test an repair uhf, vhf, Am/fm, ssb radios recording devices for a working airport.
  • Scan the CCTV's on the interstate system.
  • Maintain traffic control to ATSSA standards.
  • Maintain a visible presence and alertness to surrounding traffic.
  • Used shovels, digging bars, and other basic tools.
  • Show more

Crossing guard example responsibilities.

  • Maintain alertness of students trying to cross the street.
  • Patrol and secure building and surrounding property; monitor CCTV's and utilize radio communications.
  • Patrol and secure building and surrounding property; monitor CCTV's and utilize radio communications.

Flagger vs crossing guard skills

Common flagger skills
  • Work Ethic, 19%
  • Safety Rules, 14%
  • Construction Sites, 13%
  • Direct Traffic, 8%
  • Vehicular Traffic, 6%
  • Public Safety, 5%
Common crossing guard skills
  • Patrol, 11%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Emergency Situations, 8%
  • Vehicular Traffic, 6%
  • Direct Traffic, 6%
  • Pedestrian Traffic, 5%

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